I'm late to the party. Your headline is arresting, and your post gives me hope. My wife and I are wrapping up our teaching careers, suddenly find ourselves in her mother's town as we take the time to grieve and close her estate, and are open to where we'll head next. Your post makes me realize that most inexpensive places to live require cars. I used to walk and take the bus anywhere, and I used to bike to some great bike paths. Here all three options are impossible. Yesterday I had a hitch installed on our Forester so we can drive to a place to bike.
Andy, great topic. But I want to give a well-deserved kudos... you missed the opportunity to highlight AARP's amazing advocacy in the betterment of this issue. I highly recommend people organizing and networking through AARP's network and reach out to their local AARP liaison. AARP not only often partners in advocacy and lobbying local/state elected officials, they provide audit tools for collecting local data on the specific elements that are supportive to a walkable and bikeable community. These audit tools provide a easy-to-use outline for people to self-organize and aggregate data along the same variables. This allows for aggregating data and empowers small groups of people to share their findings and help their city make data-backed decisions on where the next dollar is spent in their infrastructure improvements.
This is a completely valid point I hadn't really considered explicitly. I think about how Japan in particular treats their elders, and contrast it heavily with what I've seen first hand with my own aging family here.
I'm late to the party. Your headline is arresting, and your post gives me hope. My wife and I are wrapping up our teaching careers, suddenly find ourselves in her mother's town as we take the time to grieve and close her estate, and are open to where we'll head next. Your post makes me realize that most inexpensive places to live require cars. I used to walk and take the bus anywhere, and I used to bike to some great bike paths. Here all three options are impossible. Yesterday I had a hitch installed on our Forester so we can drive to a place to bike.
Andy, great topic. But I want to give a well-deserved kudos... you missed the opportunity to highlight AARP's amazing advocacy in the betterment of this issue. I highly recommend people organizing and networking through AARP's network and reach out to their local AARP liaison. AARP not only often partners in advocacy and lobbying local/state elected officials, they provide audit tools for collecting local data on the specific elements that are supportive to a walkable and bikeable community. These audit tools provide a easy-to-use outline for people to self-organize and aggregate data along the same variables. This allows for aggregating data and empowers small groups of people to share their findings and help their city make data-backed decisions on where the next dollar is spent in their infrastructure improvements.
Great plug, thank you. AARP is a resourceful ally.
The book A Pattern Language includes a good section on providing for elderly in, and being part of, communities
Yes, excellent book.
This is a completely valid point I hadn't really considered explicitly. I think about how Japan in particular treats their elders, and contrast it heavily with what I've seen first hand with my own aging family here.
My parents (who might be reading these comments!) are old. I think about this often. ;)
My mom reads my Substack too! It is surreal.
On a more positive note, "old folks homes" have come a LONG way since the early 90s.
Thanks for the note, Juliet. Always good to hear from people experiencing mobility freedom!